The water authority will stop issuing vouchers for home owner discounts on low-flow toilets at 3 p.m. March 31.

What you get:A voucher giving a discount on the purchase of an approved low-flow toilet. The amount is $75 for ultra low-flush models and $165 for high-efficiency toilets, which include “pressure assist” and “dual flush” models.

Who's eligible: Residential customers of the Carlsbad Municipal Water District, city of Del Mar, city of Escondido, Helix Water District, Lakeside Water District, city of Oceanside, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, city of Poway, Rainbow Municipal Water District, Ramona Municipal Water District, Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District, Riverview Water District, city of San Diego, San Dieguito Water District, Santa Fe Irrigation District, Sweetwater Authority, Vallecitos Water District, Valley Center Municipal Water District, and Vista Irrigation District.

Note: Some districts may have exhausted their supply of vouchers.

To qualify: Properties built after 1994 do not qualify. The supply of vouchers is limited and some agencies already have depleted their supply. You can learn if vouchers are available by calling the Voucher Processing Center telephone number below.

The new toilets must replace fixtures using at least 3.5 gallons per flush. Not qualified are toilets installed as part of new construction or bathroom additions.

By applying, customers agree to allow an on-site installation verification. The voucher is for a point-of-purchase discount only.

Follow these steps

1. You can request a voucher by mail, or receive one at the time of purchase from some retailers. To obtain a voucher by mail: Call the Voucher Processing Center at (800) 986-4538 Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and this Saturday until 3 p.m. Call-center staff will make sure you are a customer in a participating area and that vouchers are still available from your water supplier. The center keeps records of previous requests for vouchers and will not issue one if you already have completed the changeover. Some stores will obtain an “instant voucher” for customers by having sales associates call the center on your behalf, allowing for an immediate discount.

2. If you qualify and do not choose a store-issued “instant voucher,” the voucher will arrive in the mail within one week. The voucher must be applied to the cost of the toilet tank, bowl, and sales tax. Vouchers expire 30 days after issuance, so be sure to purchase your toilet before the voucher expires.

3. Before shopping, measure the “rough-in” dimension: the distance from the bathroom wall to the middle of the toilet drain opening. Bring your voucher to a store to purchase a toilet from participating vendors, or present it to your plumber. You must choose a toilet that is on the authority's list of approved models. Approved models can be found by calling the Voucher Processing Center (800) 986-4538 or through the Web at www.sdcwa.org/manage/pdf/Conservation/ApprovedSPStoilets.pdf.

4. After you have purchased your toilet, mail a copy of the sales receipt and the pink copy of the voucher to the Voucher Processing Center. The address is indicated on the voucher form. All participants are subject to an on-site installation verification.

5. Check with your local waste hauler to see if used toilets can be disposed curbside with trash removal. Otherwise, they must be taken to a dump.